Overview

• Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old French survivor of sexual violence, was honored by Time magazine for her courage in publicly pursuing justice against her abusers.
• Pelicot chose to forgo anonymity in her trial, ensuring the high-profile prosecution of her ex-husband and 50 other men who were convicted of sexual assault, with sentences ranging from 3 to 20 years.
• Her decision to make the trial public aimed to shift the shame from victims to perpetrators, sparking widespread support and making her an international symbol for women’s rights.
• The Avignon trial has prompted debates in France’s parliament over potential legal reforms to address the low prosecution rates for sexual violence cases in the country.
• Pelicot shares the Woman of the Year recognition with 12 other honorees, including Nicole Kidman and activists like Fatou Baldeh, with their stories featured in Time’s March 10 issue.